Brazil GP grandstand COLLAPSES with fans forced to flee after biblical storm wreaks havoc on F1 qualifying in Sao Paulo
THERE were terrifying scenes at today’s Formula One qualifying session in Brazil as a grandstand collapsed due to a scary storm in Sao Paulo.
Brazil’s famous Interlagos Circuit is hosting this weekend’s F1 action.
Qualifying had started off without a hitch as delighted fans eagerly watched on to see who would claim pole position for Sunday’s race.
However, the session was abandoned early due to a freak storm.
And the stunning change in weather did not just impact the qualifying results.
Fans were forced to flee from their seats in a grandstand at the track’s final corner after the roof COLLAPSED shortly after qualifying.
Pictures from F1 photographer Andy Hone showed the collapsed grandstand, which is said to have left several spectators fleeing.
Other videos circulating on social media showed the roof coverings being ripped off in some areas.
Winds at the circuit are reported to have reached almost 65mph.
There have been no reports of anyone suffering injuries from the incident.
Following the qualifying session, in which Max Verstappen claimed pole, the Dutchman labelled the weather as “insane”.
He said: “We didn’t know when the rain would hit in qualifying. We thought it would hit… but this is insane weather.”
The dramatic change in weather caught out McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who looked quick enough to challenge for pole, with the latter not even able to register a time in Q3.
Meanwhile, honorary Brazilian citizen Lewis Hamilton came in at P5 behind Aston Martin duo Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso.
Ferrari‘s Charles Leclerc finished second.
Hamilton’s team-mate George Russell – who came in P8 after being given a two-place grid penalty – said: “It was absolutely crazy. I have never seen a change in weather as drastic as that.”
Despite Friday’s events, service is expected to be resumed as normal for Saturday’s Sprint Shootout and Sprint Race.
It was absolutely crazy. I have never seen a change in weather as drastic as that.
George Russell
Back in 2008, wet weather caused a dramatic end to the Brazilian GP which ended up resulting in Hamilton claiming his first ever world title to pip Felipe Massa to the crown in dramatic fashion.
Massa opened legal proceedings over the championship result of the 2008 season owing to the infamous “crashgate” scandal when Nelson Piquet Jr crashed into the barriers at the Singapore GP.
The Brazilian belives F1 authorities did not take appropriate action despite knowing about it.
Massa, 42, urged Hamilton to have his say on the matter, considering it is his F1 title at stake.
He told Planet F1: “No, we haven’t had any communication. Everything that we are doing is not against Lewis.
“I mean, I really respect Lewis as a driver for everything that he’s done, he’s one of the best drivers in the history of Formula One. So many records, with many titles.
“But what I’m doing is against the result of a manipulated race. At the point in the race where the manipulation happened, I was leading, I was first in that race. So it’s nothing against Lewis.
“I really like Lewis as a driver and he’s doing a lot of things for justice, so many different kinds of justice in the world.
“I think, one time, he will need to speak and to talk about the situation. I think it’s pretty clear I’m not doing anything against him.
“I’m doing it against the justice of the sport.”
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